不同水溶液条件对复合改性矿物包膜尿素养分释放的影响

以水为浸提溶液,研究了不同温度、pH和盐离子浓度条件对4种复合改性矿物包膜尿素养分释放的影响。结果表明,温度对复合改性矿物包膜尿素的养分释放速率有显著的影响,在15,25,35℃条件下,随着温度升高,水中养分溶出率均显著加快;盐浓度也是影响养分释放的重要因素,在5%,10%,20%尿素、氯化钾溶液中,随着尿素、氯化钾浓度的增大,复合改性矿物包膜养分释放速率明显降低;pH对复合改性矿物包膜尿素的养分释放的影响因包膜材料不同有所差异。     

温度对壳聚糖包膜尿素氮素释放特性的影响

通过壳聚糖包膜尿素(CCU)在15℃、25℃、35℃、45℃水中的释放实验,描述了其养分释放特性,探讨了温度对CCU养分释放特性的影响。结果表明,壳聚糖包膜尿素与其他包膜尿素的释放情况有很大不同,不存在明显的滞后阶段。温度改变了包膜的通透性,CCU养分释放速率随着温度的增加而增大,温度每提高10℃,养分释放速率提高约1.5倍,但不同温度下养分累积释放曲线的变化具有相似性和规律性。在不同温度下,随着浸泡时间的延长,养分释放速率都是先线性降低,然后保持不变,直到尿素完全溶解,释放速率再次下降,直至为零。不同温度下CCU的水分透入率变化曲线与尿素累积释放量变化曲线相似,养分累积释放量和水分透入率呈线性关系。     

热塑性包膜尿素微观结构特征及养分释放机理研究

采用扫描电镜、水中溶出法、饱和盐溶液蒸汽压法和土壤培养法,探讨了热塑性包膜尿素微观结构特性及养分释放机理。结果表明,热塑性包膜尿素膜表面光滑,膜上存在纤维状孔隙,膜厚度53.8～65.2 μm。氮素释放速率随温度的升高而增大,在25、30、40、50、60℃水中,尿素累积释放80％的时间分别为96、80、12、8、4 d。在不同培养温度条件下,氮素释放率与时间的关系可用一级动力学方程:Nt=No(1-e-kt)、Elovich方程:Nt=a+blnt和抛物线方程:Nt=a+bt0.5表征;在25和40℃时,以一级动力学方程拟合效果最好。包膜尿素的氮素释放率随着水蒸气压差的增大而增加,并且随水分含量降低而降低。定量描述氮素养分释放的动力学方程中,以一级动力学方程更具有实效性。包膜控释肥料膜内外水蒸气压差是控制养分释放的主要因素。     

膜材用量及致孔剂和密封剂对植物油包膜尿素养分释放特性的影响

通过25℃恒温静水培养试验,应用折光率法测定植物油包膜尿素养分释放率及肥效期,研究膜材用量、致孔剂和密封剂对植物油包膜尿素养分释放特性的影响.结果表明,添加致孔剂能明显加快包膜尿素养分释放,初期溶出率和微分溶出率均随着致孔剂ST用量增加而增加,肥效期随着致孔剂ST用量增加而缩短.而增加膜材用量和添加密封剂则会显著减慢包膜尿素养分释放,初期溶出率和微分溶出率与膜材用量、密封剂W用量呈负相关,随着膜材用量从3％增加至7％,包膜尿素肥效期从26.90 d增加至152.56 d,而当密封剂W用量从无增加至10％时,包膜尿素肥效期从61.96 d延长至154.00 d.说明调节膜材用量,添加密封剂、致孔剂可有效调控植物油包膜尿素养分释放速率,改变包膜尿素养分释放特性.     

水溶性树脂包膜控释肥料养分释放特征及影响因素

为了探讨不同养分配比包膜控释肥料的养分释放特征,采用相同工艺制造同一包膜厚度而核心肥料氮磷钾配比（以下简称核心肥料）不同、同一核心肥料而包膜厚度不同的水溶性树脂包膜控释肥料,并在高温和常温下的纯水中培养,研究核心肥料、包膜厚度、培养温度对养分释放特征的影响。结果表明：在（25 ± 0.5）℃或（40 ± 0.5）℃下,膜材用量为50 g/m2和70 g/m2的高氮型控释肥料的养分累积释放特征曲线均呈S型,增加包膜厚度或降低培养温度,均可延长培养前期的养分缓慢释放阶段。在（25 ± 0.5）℃下,膜材用量为50 g/m2时,均衡型和高钾型控释肥料的养分累积释放曲线为抛物线型,膜材用量为70 g/m2时,则为双抛物线型;培养温度为（40 ± 0.5）℃时,养分累积释放曲线均转变为抛物线型。3种因素不仅影响养分释放曲线的形状,同时对肥效期产生明显影响,增加包膜厚度或降低培养温度,均可延长养分的肥效期。氮磷的肥效期大小顺序为高氮型＞高钾型＞均衡型,而钾的肥效期则是高钾型＞高氮型＞均衡型。综上所述,包膜厚度、培养温度及核心肥料同时影响着包膜控释肥料的养分释放特征,养分释放越快,其曲线形状趋向于抛物线型,反之则趋向于S型;3类核心中,以高氮型核心最能发挥水溶性树脂的控释性能。     

致孔剂对植物油包膜尿素养分释放特性的影响

为了探讨致孔剂对植物油包膜尿养分释放特性的影响,该研究通过25、30、35℃恒温静水培养方法对植物油包膜尿素养分释放特征曲线、肥效期、温度依存性以及养分释放活化能等进行了研究。结果表明：添加致孔剂ST（淀粉）和致孔剂SB（黏土矿物）均能加快植物油包膜尿素养分释放,均能缩短肥效期,当致孔剂ST用量从0增加至5%时,肥效期从122.20 d缩短为54.76 d,而添加不同用量致孔剂SB的植物油包膜尿素养分释放特征曲线基本重合;添加致孔剂ST植物油包膜尿素温度依存性Q10随用量增加而减小,而添加致孔剂SB则随着用量增加而增大;添加致孔剂会减小植物油包膜尿素养分释放活化能,当致孔剂ST和致孔剂SB用量分别为3%、4%时,养分释放活化能分别较不添加处理减少了40.20、23.28 kJ/mol。该文可为今后致孔技术在控释肥料研制中的应用提供参考。     

石蜡-松香包膜尿素的形貌及其释放行为的研究

以石蜡-松香混合物作为包膜材料，以磷酸氢钙为调理剂，采用熔融喷雾包涂的方法制备一种新型、多营养、不污染土壤的缓释尿素。用水浸泡法和土壤培养法探讨了包膜尿素的释放特性，用扫描电子显微镜研究了包膜尿素的表面和截面形貌。分析了松香与石蜡的配比、涂层量对包膜尿素养分释放速率的影响。结果表明，松香与石蜡的配比是影响包膜尿索养分释放速率的主要因素，涂层量是影响尿素释放的重要因素，包膜尿素在水中氮索的释放行为可用一级释放动力学方程来描述；其中，CRC-25和CRC-30包膜尿素在水中溶出80％的氮素分别需要10．07d、17．88d，在土壤中溶出80％的氮索所需要的时间大于130d；包膜尿素的扫描电镜照片显示，包膜层中的缝隙小于5μm。     

硅基膜材缓控释肥在红壤中的氮素释放特征研究

通过土壤培养法和饱和盐溶液蒸汽压法,研究硅基膜材缓控释肥在不同土壤温度、含水量和水蒸汽压条件下的氮素释放特性,探讨土壤温度、含水量和水蒸汽压因素对其氮素释放的影响,阐述其在红壤中的控释机制。结果表明:硅基膜材缓控释肥在红壤中的氮素释放速率均随土壤温度、水分含量和水蒸汽压升高而明显提高,其中温度是主要影响因素。不同条件下,包膜肥料的氮素释放率随培养时间的变化均符合一级动力学方程。包膜尿素在15、25、40 和60℃的红壤中,氮素累积释放率达80% 所需要的时间分别为140、110、25 和10 d。土壤含水量为10% 时,养分释放受抑制;当土壤含水量由20% 上升至40%,养分释放速率加快,释放期缩短20 d。养分释放速率常数k 随水蒸汽压差的增大而增加;相同培养时间内,氮素累积释放率H2O>KH2PO4 饱和溶液>KCl 饱和溶液。土壤温度和含水量均通过改变包膜内外水蒸汽压而影响养分释放速率。在实际应用过程中,致使硅基膜材缓控释肥膜内外水蒸汽压变化的因素,均对其养分释放速率产生影响。     

包膜尿素氮素释放机理及其对油菜生长效应研究

采用水中溶出法、饱和盐溶液蒸汽压法和土壤培养法,研究了包膜尿素氮素释放的机理,并通过油菜盆栽试验评价了包膜尿素与油菜需肥规律的吻合性.结果表明:(1)包膜尿素的氮素释放速率随温度的升高而增大,温度每提高15～20℃,氮素释放速率提高约3～8倍,并且氮素释放率与时间的关系可用一级动力学方程Nt=No(1-e-kt)、叶诺维奇方程Nt=a+blnt和抛物线方程Nt=a+bto,ti表征.(2)包膜尿素的氮素释放率随着水蒸气压差的增大而增加,并随土壤水分含量增加而增加.(3)包膜控释肥料膜内外水蒸气压差是控制养分释放的主要因素.(4)盆栽试验证明,包膜尿素处理的油菜吸氮量和生物量最高,并且包膜尿素的氮索释放特征更接近油菜的需肥规律.     

仿生型水基共聚物包膜尿素改性机理及其养分释放特征

水基共聚物包膜尿素控释期较短,通过仿生改性技术提升水基共聚物包膜尿素养分控释期并明确其养分释放特征是实现其在农业生产中应用的重要影响因素。为了探究仿生型水基共聚物包膜尿素的改性机理及养分释放特征,本研究采用壳聚糖、淀粉和聚乙烯醇合成的水基共聚物膜材料为原料,通过纳米二氧化硅和1H,1H,2H,2H-全氟癸基三甲氧基硅烷对其进行仿生改性并制备仿生型水基共聚物包膜尿素。探究不同温度和土壤水分条件下仿生型水基共聚物包膜尿素养分释放的动力学和热力学特性,并结合扫描电镜、能谱分析、热稳定性分析、原子力电子显微镜,探究其养分释放机理。试验结果表明,仿生改性后水基共聚物包膜尿素的缓释效果显著提升,42 d氮素累积释放率比水基共聚物包膜尿素降低了7.23%。此外,通过一级动力学方程探讨了仿生型水基共聚物包膜尿素的动力学和热力学释放特性,结果表明:随着土壤含水量的增高,活化能Ea逐渐减小;吉布斯自由能变量.G>0、熵变.S>0、焓变.H<0表示包膜尿素在土壤中的释放不是一个独立的系统,与土壤环境发生了热量交换,并明确了土壤温度和含水量与养分释放间的关系。此外,还通过仿生改性前后膜材官能团结构特征、表面微观结构、表面元素变化及热重分析等手段明确了其养分释放机制。     

Soil-profile distribution of primary and secondary plant-available nutrients under conventional and no tillage

Nutrient distributions under no tillage (NT) compared with conventional disk-and-bed tillage (CT) management in the warm, humid region of the southeastern USA need to be assessed so that future placement, quantity, and type of fertilizers can be altered, if necessary, to efficiently match crop demands. We determined soil-profile distributions of pH, N, P, S, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu to a depth of 0.9 m at the end of 8.5 years of continuous CT and NT management on a Weswood silty clay loam (fine, mixed, thermic Fluventic Ustochrept) in southcentral Texas. Most dramatic changes occurred within the 0–0.05 m depth, where soil under NT had lower pH, Fe, and Cu than under CT, but greater P, K, Zn, and Mn. Greater P and K under NT than under CT also occurred below the till-zone (0.15–0.3 m). At a depth of 0–0.3 m, soil under NT contained greater amounts of extractable P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu than under CT. Nitrogen fertilization had little effect on nutrient distributions, except resulting in greater extractable K at 0–0.05 m and greater nitrate at 0–0.15 m. Few changes in soil-profile distributions were observed for extractable S, Ca, Mg, and Na. Long-term continuous use of NT on this fine-textured, high-fertility (except for N) soil had no apparent adverse effects on nutrient distributions relative to CT, but enhanced conservation and availability of P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu near the soil surface where crop roots proliferate.     

Assessing the effectiveness of conservation measures: Resolving the “wicked” problem of the Steller sea lion

“Wicked” problems are those that are complex and that change when solutions are applied. Many conflicts in conservation fall into this category. The study approached the problem of how to constrain the apparent wickedness of a problem in the conservation management of a species by using simple empirical indicators to carry out iterative assessment of the risk to a population and to document how this risk evolves in relation to the addition of new data and the implementation of management actions. Effects of high levels of uncertainty within data and also concerning population structure were examined through stochastic simulation and by exploration of scenarios. Historical trends in the example used, the Steller sea lion, showed rapid declines in abundance in some regions during the 1980s. The current total population is 130,000-150,000 Steller sea lions through Alaska and British Columbia and this number has been stable since about 1990 in spite of regional differences in population dynamics. Regional differences in the sequence of changes in the number of pups and non-pups, suggested that an internal re-distribution of juveniles could have happened between 1980 and 1990. Current productivity also appears close to the long-term mean. Stochastic population projection using various scenarios showed that, based upon this history, the risk of extinction for the population has declined and is below reasonable thresholds for considering the population to be endangered. The trends in risk suggest that management actions taken since 1990 have probably been effective. Consequently, the conservation management objectives for the Steller sea lion are probably being met. The approach provides a mechanism, based upon experience and scenario analysis, for exploring future policy options and may help to constrain the debate amongst stakeholders about the cost-benefit trade-offs associated with different options.     

Enhanced establishment and growth of giant cardon cactus in an eroded field in the Sonoran Desert using native legume trees as nurse plants aided by plant growth-promoting microorganisms and compost

To evaluate the feasibility of long-term desert reforestation technology of mixed vegetation, cardon cactus (Pachycereus pringlei) seedlings from indoor and outdoor nurseries were planted in the field adjacent to one seedling of potential legume nurse trees: mesquite amargo (Prosopis articulata), yellow palo verde (Parkinsonia microphylla), and blue palo verde (Parkinsonia florida). Some of the planting holes were also supplemented with common dairy compost. Additionally, the combinations of legume tree–cactus were inoculated with either a consortium of desert arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB; the diazotroph Azospirillum brasilense Cd, and the phosphate solubilizer Paenibacillus sp.), or a mixture of all. The field experiments were evaluated periodically during 30 months for survival and growth. Cardons reared in an outdoor screen house survived better in the field than those reared in a controlled growth chamber and hardened later outdoors. Association with any legume nurse tree increased survival and enhanced growth of untreated cardons. For cardons growing alone, application of either compost, AM fungi, and all the treatments combined increased survival. For these plants, no treatment affected plant growth during the first 3 months after transplanting. Later, all treatments, except for AM fungi, enhanced plant growth. However, only 2 years after transplanting the enhanced growth effect of AM fungi was also significant. In the presence of the legume nurse trees, transient positive effects on cardon growth were recorded. General evaluation after 30 months of cultivation showed that the treatments positively affected cardon growth when growing alone or in combination only with mesquite amargo but not with the other two legume trees. This study proposes that young legume trees have the capacity to enhance survival and growth of cardon cactus, depending on the legume cactus combination. Additional treatments such as compost or PGPB can either amplify the effect or else attenuate it.     

Karyotypic and genome size variation in Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. (pigeonpea) and some wild relatives

Detailed karyotypes and 4C DNA amounts have been studied in five cultivars of Cajanus cajan and 20 species belonging to Cajanus, Rhynchosia, Dunbaria, Flemingia and Paracalyx. C. cajan shows intraspecific variability and its karyotype is most similar to that of C. cajanifolius (sect. Cajanus) in the morphology and number of satellite chromosomes and the lack of any correlation between chromosome size within the complement and asymmetry. Karyotypes of C. lineatus and C. sericeus belonging to sect. Atylia are similar with respect to maximum r-index and the ratio of longest and shortest chromosomes in their respective complements. C. acutifolius (sect. Frutocosa) is distinct in having a very low ratio (1.44) between the longest and the shortest chromosomes, while in C. albicans, C. goensis, C. scarabaeoides (sect. Cantharospermum) there is no chromosome pair with r-index >2.0. C. mollis and C. volubilis (sect. Volubilis) show similarity with regard to ratio between the longest and the shortest chromosomes and a distinct chromosome pair with an arm ratio of 2.7 and C. platycarpus is distinct (sect. Rhynchosoides) in having the smallest ratio (1.36) between the longest and the shortest chromosomes. 4C DNA amounts in Cajanus and Rhynchosia vary between 3.28 pg to 11.69 pg and 4.92 pg to 11.13 pg respectively, while in Dunbaria, Flemingia and Paracalyx these vary between 4.70 and 7:06 pg. In the genus Cajanus karyotypic features and 4C DNA amounts agree with the sectional classification and bring out a close relationship between C. cajan and C. cajanifolius. This is supported by studies based on seed protein patterns, isozyme analysis, trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitor patterns, RFLP and RAPD data and crossability relationships. A clear relation between DNA amount and abnormalities effecting the extent of pairing and recombination in interspecific hybrids shows the importance of this study in developing future breeding programme involving C. cajan and its wild relatives that are of potential value.     

Effect of some fungicide seed treatments on the survival of Bradyrhizobium japonicum and on the nodulation and yield of soybean [Glycine max. (L) Merr.]

Several commercial fungicide seed treatments were evaluated for their possible effect on the survival of Bradyrhizobium japonicum on seeds and on the nodulation and yield of soybeans in a greenhouse and a field experiment. quinolate Pro (carbendazim and oxine copper), Vitavax 200FF (carboxin and thiram), and Monceren (pencycuron) had a small effect or no effect on the survival of B. japonicum and on the nodulation and yield of soybeans. They can thus be considered compatible with soybean seed inoculation. Germipro UFB (carbendazim and iprodione), Apron 35J (metalaxyl), and Tachigaren (hymexazol) decreased B. japonicum survival and the nodulation and yield of soybeans and thus cannot be considered compatible with soybean seed inoculation.     

Einfluss der düngungsmethoden auf die entwicklung von zuckerrübenkrankheiten

Während neunjähriger (1994-2002) Untersuchungen in der Versuchsanstalt Ba?cyny (Fahlerde, Fall-Gleyboden, ausgebildet aus leichtem Lehmboden) wurde der Befall mit Krankheiten an der Zuckerrübe in Abhängigkeit von der Düngungsmethode bewertet. Folgende Methoden wurden angewendet: A - Mineraldünger, B - Stalldung und Mineraldünger, C - Stroh-, Gründung und Mineraldünger, D - Kompostdünger und Biopräparate (ökologische Düngung). Auf den Objekten A, B, C wurden bei konstanter Phosphor-Kalium-Düngung die Stickstoffgaben von 0 bis 180 kg.ha^?1 differenziert. Auf dem ökologischen Objekt D ohne Mineraldünger wurden statt Stickstoff die Biopräparate P₅₀₀ und P₅₀₁ verabreicht. Der geringste Befall von Krankheiten wurde an der Zuckerrübe auf jenem Objekt festgestellt, das mit Kompost und den Biopräparaten gedüngt worden war. Im Rahmen der konventionellen Düngungsmethoden wurde allgemein die höchste Intensität der Krankheiten an der mit Stroh, Gründung und Mineraldünger gedüngten Zuckerrübe beobachtet. Ausnahmen von dieser Regel bildete das Vorkommen von echtem Mehltau und Keimlingsfäule. Auf den Objekten A, B, C nahm die Intensität der Krankheiten mit der Steigerung der Stickstoffgabe zu. Auch die auf Objekt D verabreichten Biopräparate stimulierten die Entwicklung der Krankheiten. The effect of various fertilization methods on the diseases of sugar beet was estimated on the basis of nine-year studies (1994-2002) conducted in the Experimental Production Farm in Ba?cyny on loess-based, sedimentary-gley, light-clay soil. The following fertilization methods were applied: A - mineral fertilization, B - mineral and manure fertilization, C - straw, green manure and mineral fertilization, D - ecological compost and biodynamic preparations fertilization. In the objects A, B and C fertilized with phosphorus and potassium, various doses of nitrogen ranging from 0 to 180 kg/ha^?1 were used. In the ecological object D, where mineral fertilization was not used, biodynamic preparations P₅₀₀ and P₅₀₁ were applied instead of nitrogen. The lowest ratio of the diseases of sugar beet was observed in the object fertilized with the compost and biodynamic preparations. In view of the conventional fertilization methods, generally the highest incidence of diseases was noted in the sugar beet fertilized with straw, green manure and mineral fertilizers. The exception was the occurrence of powdery mildew and the black leg. In objects A, B and C the incidence of the diseases increased with the increase in nitrogen doses. The applied biodynamical preparations in the object D stimulated the development of diseases too.     

Prospects for control of Pythium damping-off of lettuce with Trichoderma,Gliocladium and Enterobacter spp.

Summary Damping-off of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) caused by Pythium ultimum was studied in pots containing a non-sterile potting mix in the glasshouse. Fifty P. ultimum sporangia g^-1 compost reduced the plant stand to 15% and shoot dry weight to 18%, but this reduction was totally prevented by applying Trichoderma harzianum at 2×10⁵ viable propagules g^-1 potting mix. Gliocladium virens and Enterobacter cloacae also alleviated the damping-off. E. cloacae did not adversely affect the action of the fungal antagonists. The co-existence of the bacterial and fungal antagonists was revealed on the root surface and inner surface of the testa by scanning electron microscopy, indicating the compatibility of the biocontrol agents.     

细菌、真菌及植物氮营养信号研究进展

氮素吸收代谢是所有生物生命活动的核心部分,因此,各种生物对氮的吸收与同化过程都有精细的调节。这种调节依赖于生物对体内氮素状况信号及体外（生长介质中）氮素信号的感受。过去几十年中,在细菌、真菌中已经对氮素营养信号有了较好的研究,而植物中则相对缓慢,但也有了一定的认识。本文重点比较细菌、真菌及植物中氮信号系统的组成,以期为进一步认识植物中的氮信号接受与转导系统提供启示。     

Aircraft operations near concentrations of birds in Antarctica: The development of practical guidelines

Aircraft operations have the potential to disturb and to impact negatively on bird life. A gradient of increasing behavioural response is evident in birds when exposed to increasing aircraft stimulus. The most major disturbance is likely to lead to impacts on the health, breeding performance and survival of individual birds, and perhaps bird colonies. A process of revision to policies on aircraft operations contained in management plans for a number of specially protected areas in Antarctica by the United Kingdom, accompanied by consultations made within the scientific community through the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and with operational interests through the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programmes (COMNAP) resulted in new guidelines being adopted by the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties in June 2004. The principal recommendations of the guidelines are that bird colonies should not be overflown below 2000 ft (∼610 m) above ground level and landings within 1/2 nautical mile (∼930 m) of bird colonies should be avoided wherever possible. These guidelines are less stringent and less specific than those that were recommended by the SCAR specialist group on birds, and represent a compromise to accommodate operational needs. While the adoption of clear and consistent guidelines for the operation of aircraft in Antarctica is welcome in that this provides practical advice that is likely to reduce incidences of close aircraft/bird encounters, there remains insufficient knowledge of the interactions between aircraft and birds in Antarctica, and the consequent impacts on individual birds and on bird populations. It is important, therefore, that the guidelines adopted are considered interim, and should be kept under scrutiny with revisions made as new and improved research results appear.     

The abundance of heterocystous blue-green algae in rice soils and inocula used for application in rice fields

Summary Algal populations were quantified (as colony-forming units [CFU] per square centimetre) in 102 samples of rice soils from the Philippines, India, Malaysia and Portugal, and in 22 samples of soil-based inocula from four countries. Heterocystous blue-green algae (BGA) were present in all samples. Nostoc was the dominant genus in most samples, followed by Anabaena and Calothrix. In soils, heterocystous BGA occurred at densities ranging from 1.0 × 10² to 8.0 × 10⁶ CFU/cm² (median 6.4 × 10⁴) and comprised, on average, 9% of the total CFU of algae. Their abundance was positively correlated with the pH and the available P content of the soils. In soil-based inocula, heterocystous BGA occurred at densities ranging from 4.6 × 10⁴ to 2.8 × 10⁷ CFU/g dw (dry weight), comprising only a moderate fraction (average 13%) of the total algae. In most soils, the density of indigenous N₂-fixing BGA was usually higher than that attained by applying recommended rates of soil-based inoculum. Whereas research on the practical utilization of BGA has been mostly directed towards inoculation with foreign strains, our results suggest that attention should also be given to agricultural practices that enhance the growth of indigenous strains already adapted to local environmental conditions.Maître de Recherches ORSTOM (France), Visiting Scientist at IRRI